(1st December 2009). - Trafford College

Meeting of the Resources Committee
held on Tuesday 1 December 2009
at 5.30 pm in the Boardroom
at the Altrincham Centre
Present:
In attendance:
Guy Robson (Chairperson)
Bill Moorcroft (Principal)
Phil Aspden
Maryam Herin
Laverne Picart
Catherine Tong
Richard Woodford
Barry Watson (Clerk to the Corporation)
Antoinette Lythgoe (Vice Principal Corporate Planning)
Brent Cameron (Director of Finance)
Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Chairperson welcomed Phil Aspden to his first
Committee meeting.
Minute No.
RES/44/2009
Apologies for Absence
The Clerk to the Corporation reported that apologies for absence had been
received from Graham Luccock.
RES/45/2009
Declaration of Direct and Indirect Interest in any of the Committee’s
Business Items
There were no declarations of either direct or indirect interest in any of the
meeting’s business items.
RES/46/2009 Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 October 2009
The minutes of the meeting were approved and accepted as a correct
account of the meeting’s proceedings.
RES/47/2009
Matters Arising from the Minutes
i) RES/33/2009 Matters arising from the Minutes
The Chairperson reported that a meeting with the Chief Executive of
STEGTA had been arranged for 8 December 2009.
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Minute No.
RES/48/2009 Draft Report and Financial Statements 2008-2009
The Vice Principal Corporate Planning presented a report which included
the Draft Report and Financial Statements for 2008/2009.
The Committee noted that the external auditors had completed their testing
of the Statements and that there were no outstanding issues to be resolved
prior to the finalisation and signature of the accounts. The Committee also
noted that the Report and Financial Statements would be considered by the
Audit Committee prior to recommendation to the Board of the Corporation.
The Committee considered the Draft Report and Financial Statements and in
particular noted that:
• the only change to the draft accounts submitted to the Committee at
its last meeting was £ 21,000 of additional charges to the enhanced
pension provision;
• the final operating deficit for 2008-2009 was £1,465,000;
• the key points arising from the income, pay and non pay expenditure,
balance sheet, liquidity and cash flow position and the key financial
indicators at 2008-2009;
• the identified principle risks and uncertainties;
• the disclosure of information to auditors.
In discussion the Vice Principal Corporate Planning commented that the
Statements did not include any commentary with regard to the Financial
Health of the College and drew the Committee’s attention to a letter that she
had recently received from the LSC with regard to the matter.
The Committee noted that the LSC had indicated in their letter that their
assessment of the financial grading of the College for 2009-2010 was
satisfactory.
The Vice Principal expressed to the Committee her confusion and extreme
disappointment at this inappropriate assessment and outlined to the
Committee why it was the College management’s view that the grading
should be Outstanding.
The Committee noted that officers from the LSC were meeting the officers of
the College on 9 December 2009 in order to discuss the position.
The Committee expressed the view that they wholeheartedly supported the
Vice Principal both professionally and with regard to the College’s self
assessment position and noted that the Vice Principal would provide a report
on the up to date position at the Board of the Corporation meeting on 16
December 2009. The Committee wished the College officers well in their
discussions with the LSC.
Action: Vice Principal Corporate Planning
After due consideration of the report and some proposals to minor wording
changes to the statements the Committee resolved that it be noted.
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Minute No.
RES/49/2009 Management Accounts for the 3 months ending 31 October 2009
The Vice Principal Corporate Planning presented a report which presented
the management accounts for 3 months ending 31 October 2009.
The Committee were very pleased to note that the operating surplus was
£257k higher than budget at £287k.
The Committee in considering the accounts discussed the following matters:
• the College approach to sustainability issues and the savings on
costs could be achieved in this area;
• investment in Information Technology;
• the cultural change in the approach to spending;
• the management actions and processes that had been put in place in
order to strictly control pay costs (including agency costs).
After due discussion the Committee congratulated the managers on an
excellent set of accounts and resolved that they be recommended to the
Board of the Corporation for approval.
RES/50/2009 Summary of Payments of at least £15,000
Action: Board of the Corporation
The Vice Principal Corporate Planning’s report identifying payments made
during October 2009 that had a value of at least £15,000 was received and
noted.
It was resolved that future reports should only include payments greater than
£50,000.
Action: Vice Principal Corporate Planning
RES/51/2009 Annual Report on Spending & Procurement 2008-2009
The Vice Principal Corporate Planning’s report detailing expenditure and
procurement for 2008/2009 was considered by the Committee.
After due consideration and discussion it was resolved that the report be
noted.
RES/52/2008 Learner Numbers and Funding 2009-2010 – November 2009
The Vice Principal Corporate Planning presented a report detailing the
College’s learner numbers and funding position for 2009-2010 and any
consequential impact on income.
The Committee noted that the up to date position with regard to the different
categories of learners and the anticipated achievement of targets for the
year. In particular the Vice Principal Corporate Planning drew members’
attention to the current underperformance in respect of 16 to 18 and 19 to 25
employer responsive provision and outlined the discussions that had recently
taken place with the LSC staff who are transferring to the SFA.
After due consideration and discussion it was resolved that the report be
noted.
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Minute No.
RES/53/2009 Accommodation Update – November 2009
The Vice Principal Resources presented a report which informed the
Committee of the up to date position with regard to the College’s
Accommodation Strategy in the following areas.
• Trafford MBC Consultation Process/White Land;
• Review of options for Talbot Road and Moss Road sites;
• College Master Plan – Altrincham campus;
• Ray Holden Building;
• Music Centre;
• Refectory Kitchen – Technology Centre.
In discussion of the various accommodation matters it was agreed that a
meeting of the Capital Bid Working Group be convened early in the New Year
in order to consider the post project evaluation reports for the Ray Holden
building and the Library building.
Action: Vice Principal Resources
It was also agreed that a report would be presented to the Board of the
Corporation at its meeting on 24 March 2010 concerning the Music Centre.
After due consideration of the report it was resolved that it be noted.
RES/54/2009 Financial Plan 2009-2012
It was agreed that this item had been covered under Agenda item 5.
Action: Principal
RES/55/2009
Any Other Business
There were no matters raised under any other business.
RES/56/2009
Date of Next Meeting
The Clerk to the Corporation reported that the next meeting would be held on
3 March 2010 at the Altrincham Centre.
The meeting closed at 6.45 pm.
[Maryam Herin joined the meeting during the consideration of agenda item 5]
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